Method guide · Progress through phases
Smallest Commitment Chain
Link actions people can complete themselves, with completion evidence and an item to pass to the next person.
- People
- 3–16
- Base procedure time
- 25 minutes
- Recording
- Shared record
Purpose: Make a decision; Build working relationships.
English guide
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How this method works
A planning method that links only the smallest actions whose completion a person can check for themselves. Use it when broad responsibilities are assigned but nobody can see a first step, waiting for somebody else’s response is written as a commitment, or plans stop before execution. Each person writes an action they can complete after receiving the previous action, adds a completion mark, and states what they pass onwards. Finding and untangling links that contain only waiting creates handoffs that do not depend on goodwill or determination. The result is an action chain showing responsible people, completion conditions, and transfer items. Do not use it where an authorised person is absent and the group cannot decide whether the actions are allowed.
Phase schedule
Minutes are cumulative from the start of the base plan, not a live timer. Read scaling for any additional time. Phase controls do not advance automatically.
Use the arrow keys, Home or End while these controls have focus. The complete phase schedule remains below, including without JavaScript.
- Define the endpoint0–3 minutes from the start (3 minutes)
Action: Define. Participation: Everyone.
Recording not separately specified for this phase
- Choose an action3–9 minutes from the start (6 minutes)
Action: Choose. Participation: Everyone.
Individual record
- Connect the chain9–16 minutes from the start (7 minutes)
Action: Connect. Participation: Everyone.
Shared record
- Check conditions16–21 minutes from the start (5 minutes)
Action: Check. Participation: Everyone.
Shared record
- Pass the first action21–25 minutes from the start (4 minutes)
Action: Pass. Participation: Everyone.
Shared record
Facilitation steps
- For 3 minutes, display one sentence stating the shared endpoint and choose just one recipient of the output.
- For 6 minutes, each person writes the smallest action they can finish themselves on a card and adds a mark for checking completion.
- For 7 minutes, read the preceding person’s action before connecting your card to its right, then write one item to pass onwards.
- For 5 minutes, each person says their completion condition aloud. Remove actions whose conditions cannot be stated and rewrite them as smaller actions.
- For 4 minutes, give the first card to its responsible person and decide in one sentence when the first completion check will occur.
If something changes
If
Three minutes after writing begins, 3 or more cards say only “consult”.
Then
Write one piece of information to gather or draft to make before consultation and replace the card with that action.
If
After linking the chain, each group has at least 2 connections without a transfer item.
Then
Write one sentence, document, or confirmation mark for the next person to receive above the connection line.
If
During condition checking, one person’s cards make up at least one third of the total.
Then
Keep one sentence explaining why only that person can do those actions, then add one earlier preparation card another person can complete.
Preparation
Materials
- 4 action cards per person, approximately A6 size
- One roll of connecting tape per group
- One dark-coloured pen per person
- One display sheet per group for arranging the chain, approximately A2 size
Room and setup
- One island table per group of 2–4, seated facing each other; 1–4 tables within the supported participant range
- One wall or table surface per group where action cards can be placed in a horizontal line
Adjust for people and time
With fewer than 3 people, the chain is too short, so use 2 people who each write 2 cards and say the transfer items aloud. With 3–16, divide participants evenly into 1–4 groups of 2–4 and create one chain. Above 16, form groups of 2–4. Each brings only its first and last cards to everyone, and the endpoint recipient chooses just one connection between chains.
Safety and non-applicable situations
Actions must be completable by their responsible people, not merely wait for others’ replies. Make completion conditions and transfer items explicit. Do not use this method where the authority needed to permit actions is absent.
Historical translation and source notes
These original notes are retained verbatim with their fixed source versions. This historical label does not resolve a source-specific concern or establish current acceptance.
- The below-three-person version explicitly requires 2 people and does not specify a solo procedure.
Manuscript's recorded references
These translate the original manuscript's source and rights claims. They remain separate from any current-page notice below; they do not establish new verification.
- Taiwa no Fumen editorial team: Smallest Commitment Chain
Original description and illustrations
Diagram, print, and video language
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Editorial provenance
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